What is the term for the belief that Heaven selects the ruler based on moral standards?

The belief that Heaven selects the ruler based on moral standards is known as the Mandate of Heaven. This concept originates from ancient China and was used to justify the rule of the Emperor. The idea suggests that a ruler must govern justly and wisely to maintain the divine approval of Heaven. If a ruler fails to uphold moral standards and governance, it is believed that they may lose the Mandate of Heaven, leading to their downfall or the rise of a new ruler who is deemed more worthy.

The Mandate of Heaven emphasizes the importance of virtue in leadership, indicating that the right to rule is not merely granted by lineage or birthright, but is contingent upon the ruler's moral conduct and ability to provide for the welfare of the people. This belief played a crucial role in political legitimacy and the dynastic cycle in Chinese history.

In contrast, other options like Divine Right refer specifically to the idea prevalent in European monarchies that a king's authority comes directly from God, without the moral justification tied to the people's well-being. Social Contract, on the other hand, relates to theories of political legitimacy that involve an agreement among individuals to form a society, which differs significantly from the concept of divine selection. Legalism denotes a strictly rule-based system of governance in